Should I Read The Prequels First In The Throne Of Glass Reading Order?

2026-07-30 20:40:04
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3 Answers

Lila
Lila
Insight Sharer UX Designer
Jumping straight into the series with the prequel novellas might backfire. They're a prequel in the literal sense, but they were published after most of the main books for a reason. The emotional weight of 'The Assassin's Blade' relies entirely on knowing Celaena's journey ahead of time. Reading those stories first is like getting a detailed tour of a character's childhood home before you have any reason to care about the person who lived there. You'll miss the poignant layers of foreshadowing and the gut-punch of certain cameos later on.

I started with the prequels on a friend's recommendation and found myself impatient with the main series opener, 'Throne of Glass', because I was waiting for the epic-scale story the novellas seemed to hint at. It wasn't until I re-read them after book three that everything clicked into place with this devastating, perfect clarity. The chronological order sounds logical, but for maximum impact, publication order is the way to go.
2026-07-31 12:00:05
4
Bella
Bella
Active Reader Lawyer
I genuinely think reading the prequels first is the better move. The main argument against it is that you won't appreciate the callbacks, but I found knowing Celaena's past from the get-go made her guarded personality in 'Throne of Glass' far more understandable and tragic. Instead of her coming off as just arrogant, you see the deep-seated hurt and loss underneath. It adds immediate depth.

Sure, you lose the surprise of those reveals later, but you trade it for a richer, more coherent character arc from the very first page. It turns her initial journey into a redemption arc from the start, rather than a mystery to be pieced together. For readers who prioritize connecting with a protagonist immediately, this order works better.
2026-08-03 12:18:15
14
Violet
Violet
Ending Guesser Journalist
Honestly, it doesn't matter that much. The series is long enough that by the time you hit the mid-point, the prequel events will feel distant regardless of when you read them. The core plot of the later books stands on its own. I read them after book two because that's when my library had 'The Assassin's Blade' available, and it was fine. Just pick an order and stick with it—the story is engaging either way.
2026-08-03 21:14:46
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What is the best order to read Throne of Glass books?

8 Answers2026-07-19 20:11:53
Wait, people are out here reading these in a different order? I just... read the next one on the shelf. Was I supposed to have a strategy? I feel like I've been playing a game on easy mode without knowing it.

How should I follow the reading order of Throne of Glass books?

3 Answers2026-07-30 20:30:39
Honestly, the 'romantic reading order' some fans push with 'The Assassin's Blade' first always struck me as weird. The intended publication order—starting with 'Throne of Glass' itself—is the best way to experience the protagonist's growth from a defiant prisoner to the epic figure she becomes. The novella collection was published later for a reason; reading it upfront softens the mystery of her past, and you don't need those details yet. It feels like a gimmick that serves superfans doing a re-read more than newcomers. Jump in with the first book. If you get hooked after 'Crown of Midnight' and 'Heir of Fire', then loop back to 'The Assassin's Blade' before 'Queen of Shadows'. That's when those prequel stories actually start to resonate and pay off in the main plot. You'll pick up on the callbacks instead of waiting for them. Trust the original roadmap; it's a tighter narrative experience.

What is the best reading order for Throne of Glass books?

3 Answers2026-07-20 03:54:35
For maximum emotional devastation, which let's be honest is why we read SJM, try this: Throne of Glass, Crown of Midnight, THEN 'The Assassin's Blade', then Heir of Fire. You get the initial mystery, the first big reveals about her past in Crown of Midnight, then IMMEDIATELY get the full, brutal backstory. It makes Heir of Fire, her rock-bottom moment, hit with the force of a freight train. You understand every scar, every flinch. It's a tough read emotionally, but incredibly cohesive.
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